Fur cutting machine



Jan. 26, 1932. R H. PLASS FUR CUTTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 7. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l m r/ 5PM j: ATORNEY Jan. 26, 1932. p ss 1,842,566

FUR CUTTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 7, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR BY 2 I W 41% Patented Jan. 26, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT H. PLASS, OF UPPER MGNTGLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE CHAPAL- BONNER CORPORATION, CF NEWARK,

JERSEY NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION (113 NEW FUR CUTTING MACHINE Application filed. January 7, 1931.

This invention relates to improvements in fur cutting machines for cutting animal pelts to remove fur from the skins thereof; such .machines being especially useful in the fur hat manufacturing industry.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a fur cutting machine having a novel construction of means for controlling the movement of the pelt to the cutting knives, whereby the pelt is adequately supported at and adjacent to the cutting point of said knives and uniformly fed throughout its entire length to said cutting point, so that the entire pelt is treated by step by step cutting of skin slivers or chips close to the fur roots, to thus sever the fur from the skin uniformly and with a minimum of n aste; the novel pelt controlling and feeding means being especially efficient in delivering the trailing eX- tremity or last end of the pelt to the cuttingknives in such manner that control and ad- *ance of the same to the cutting point is main.- tained until the entire pelt is subjected to and consumed in the cutting; operation, thus eliminating waste heretofore ordinarily occurring by reason of the premature escape of substantial portions of the trailing end of a pelt from the control of feeding means and consequently from the proper subjection to the cutting operation. resulting in the loss of an appreciable quantity of fur because unsevered from the trailing; end of the skin.

With the above general obj ect in view, this invention resides in the provision. in combination with rotated upper and lower feed rolls, between which. a pelt is engaged and by which the same is advanced toward the cutting knives of the machine, of laterally spaced pelt supporting fingers arranged to extend forwardly beyond the nip of the feed rolls and in staggered relation to fixed supporting members projecting from the bed knife of the machine. said fingers being alternately reciprocable to permit severed fur to be unobstructed thereby so that such severed fur is readily discharged away from the cutting point, cooperative with which supporting fingers are rotatable serrated feeder wheels adapted to cup; pge the pelts, and especially the extreme trailing end por- Serial No. 507,144.

tions thereof, so as to adequately control and deliver such portions to the cutting knives until entirely and completely subjected to the fur severing action of the latter.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be understood from the following detailed description of the same.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a plan view of a fur cutting machine according to the principles of this in vention; Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section, taken on line 22 in Fig. 1; 3 is a fragmentary transverse section, taken on line 33 in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, illustrating the control and feeding of a pelt to the cutting point of the machine.

Similar characters of reference are employed in said views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to said drawings, the reference character 5 indicates the bed-plate of the machine. The same having a bed-knife support 6 projecting upwardly therefrom. Mounted on the bedplate 5, adjacent to its ends and toward the rearward side thereof, are adjustable bearing members 7. Journaled in and extending longitudinally between said bearing members 7 is a main shaft 8. upon which is fixed the cutting cylinder of the machine, comprising hub-cylinder 9 to which the revolving cutting knives 10 are fixed. Preferably said cutting knives 10 are of the helical or curved shape, in longitudinal extension, commonly used in fur cutting machines. Said bed-knife support 6 is preferably somewhat rcarwardly inclined toward the cutting cylinder, and fixed to said support 6, so as to be capable of vertical adjustment, is a stationary cutting blade or bedknife 11, with the cutting edge of which the cutting edges of said revolving cutting knives cooperate. An enclosing hood 12 is arranged about the cutting cylinder, the same having an opening; 13 at its forward side and continuous to the bed-knife 11 to admit of the pelts being fed over the cutting edge of the latter and subject to cutting engagement by the revolving cutting knives 10. At its lower end said hood terminates in a skin chip or silver discharge passage 14 which overlies a chute plate 15, the latter extending downwardly and rearwardly from the stationary bed-knife and beneath the cutting cylinder to and through said discharge passage. Fixed on one exteriorly projecting end of said main shaft 8 is a drive pulley 16 or equivalent de-, vice, adapted to cooperate with any desired form of transmission means operated from a suitable power source, whereby the cutting cylinder of the machine is rotated, and other operative parts of the machine actuated as will subsequently. appear.

Suitably arranged at the sides of the machine in front of the bed-knife 11 are bearing plates 17 J ournaled in said bearing plates 17, to extend longitudinally therebetween forwardly of the bed-knife, is a shaft 1.8 upon which is fixed a lower feed roll 19. Said bearing plates 17 are provided, above the plane of said lower feed roll, with open bearing portions 20. Journaled in said open bearing portions 20, to extend longitudinally therebetween above said lower feed roll 19, is a shaft 21 upon which is fixed an upper feed roll 22 which impinges upon said lower feed roll. Cooperative gearing 23 is provided whereby power-transmitted to shaft 21 is in turn transmitted to shaft 18, thus driving the upper and lower feed rolls in opposite directions, and so as to be adapted to nip a pelt therebetween and urge the same toward the bed-knife and cutting cylinder of the machine. Owing to the fact that the shaft 21 of the upper feed roll is supported in the open bearing portions 20, the upper feed roll 22 is capable of vertical play relative to the'lower feed roll. so as to admit of the operative entrance and engagement of a pelt between said feed rolls. The upper feed roll is tensionally urged toward said lower feed roll by means subsequently to be mentioned.

Extending downwardly between the forward or outer side of the bed-knife 11 and the'inner side of the lower feed roll 19 is a severed fur discharge passage 24, bounded on one side by the bed-knife and its support 6 and on the other side by a partition plate 25 extending between the under side of the lower feed roll 19 and said bed-plate 5.

The reference characters 26 and 27 respectively indicate the members of two sets of longitudinally reciprocable blades terminating at their inner ends in pelt supporting fingers 26 and 27 which lie intermediate the feed rolls and the bed-knife, but slightly below the plane of the nip of said feed rolls. Said blades and their fingers are disposed vertically edgewise to extend in substantially horizontal plane from the outer side of the machine toward the bed-knife. The lower feed roll 19 is annularly channeled or grooved to permit the extension of the pelt supporting fingersof the blades through the same and below the nip thereof relative to the upper feed roll 22. A cover plate 28 extends from the outer side of the machine to the outer side of the feed rolls so as to cover the major portions of the reciprocable blades 26-27, saidcover plate 28 serving as a feed table over which a pelt is fed to the nip of said feed rolls.

The means for reciprocating the blades 2627 and their pelt supporting fingers 2627' comprises in one form, the following mechanism Supported by guide straps 29 bounding the underside of guideways 29 at the ends of the machine framework, so as to be bodily movable in said guideways toward and from the cutting mechanism of the machine are carrier-bars 30 and 31. Secured to the upper surface of the carrier bar 30 is a channel bar 32. Each blade 26 is provided at its underside edge with a depending lug 33' which entersthe channel bar 32 so as to abut the forward side wall thereof. Arranged between the rearward side wall of the channel bar 32 and the said lugs 33 are compression springs 34. In like manner, secured to the upper surface of the carrier bar 31 is a channel bar 35. Each blade 27 is provided at its underside edge with a depending lug 36 which enters the channel bar 35 so as to abut the forward side wall thereof. Arranged between the rearward side wall of channel bar 35 and the said lugs 36 are compression springs 37. Mounted on said bed-plate 5, adjacent to its ends and toward the forward side thereof, are bearing standards 38. Journaled in and extending longitudinally between said bearing standards 38 is a shaft 39. Secured to the respective outer ends of the carrier bar 30 are arms 40 projecting at right angles to the carrier bar and toward said shaft 39, said arms 40 having forked free end portions 41 to straddle said shaft 39. Fixed on said shaft 39 adjacent to each arm 40 is a cam 42. The arms 40 are provided with roller studs 43 which are operatively engaged by the peripheries of the cams 42. Connected with depending perforate ears 44 of said arms 40 are pull-springs 45 which yieldably hold the roller studs 43 of the arms 40 in operative relation to the arms 42. In

i like manner, secured to the respective outer ends of the carrier bar 31 are arms 46 having forked free end portions 47 to straddle the shaft 39. Fixed on said shaft adjacent to each arm 46 'is a cam 48. The arms 46 are provided with roller studs 49 which are operatively engaged by the peripheries of said cams 48. Connected with depending perforate ears 50 of said arms 46 are pull-sprin gs 51 which yieldably hold the roller studs 49 of the arms 46 in operative relation to the cams d8. The setting of the cams 42 and d8 is such that the respective sets of blades 26 and and their pelt" supporting lingers 37-42? are alternately reciprocated in such manner that there is always one set of pelt supporting lingers extending between the nip of the feed rolls and the bed-knife 11 so as to constantly support the pelt portions approaching the cutting point of the machine. The bed-knife 11 provided on its outer face, below its cutting edge with a plurality of ltmgitiulinally spaced vertically disposed and outwardly projecting 'ib-like projections between which the free extremities of the pelt supporting lingers QG QT may extend, whereby the tops of said projections 52 cooperate with inwardly projected fingers to support the pelt skin right up to the very cutting edge of the bed-knife 11.

Connected with the hearing plates 17 are stud shafts 53. Pivotally connected with the inner ends of said stud shafts are bearing arms 54 which extend toward the cutting mechanism of the machine. the free end portions curving over the feed roller shafts and then extending downward toward the plane of the pelt-cnipporting fingers 26'-2( and between the feed rollers and bed-knife ofthe machine. Journaled in the free end portions of said bearing arms to extend longitudinally tlwrebetween is a shaft 55. Fixed on the shaft are a plm'ality of longitudinally spaced auxiliary feed wheels 56 preferably provided with serrated peripheries. The upper feed roll is suitably annularly channeled or grooved to provide clearance spaces for said auxiliary feed wheels. Said auxiliary feed wheels lie between the upper feed roll and the bed-knife and their peripheries are operatively opposed to the inwardly thrust pelt supporting fingers.

The means for yieldably thrusting the upper feed roll 22 toward the lower feed roll 15) comprises clips 57, each having footings 58 at one end upon the bearing plates l7. and at the other end having bearing yokes 55) to respectively engage the ends of the shaft 2L of said upper feed roll. Said clips 57 have openings 60 intermediate their ends, upwardly through which extend fixed posts (ll threaded at their upper ends to receive stop nuts (32. Arranged around said posts (ll, between said stopnu'ts 62 and the clips a (mmpression springs 63 to yieldably thrust the l'iearii'ig yokes 59 of the latter downwardly upon the ends of the upper feed roll shaft 2i.

The means for transmittine power to the feed rolls 19-22. the "anus it and the auxiliary feed wheels 56 may be variouz-ily accomplished. Illustrative of one form of such power transmission means. the followinej ar rangement is shown in the drawings (see hi 1) Running between the main shaft 8 and the cam shaft 39 is a sprocket and chain drive 64, running between the thus driven cam shaft 39 and upper feed roll shaft 21 is a sprocket and chain drive 65 whereby the intergeared feed roll shafts 21 and 18 are rotated to actuate the feed rolls. tween said shaft 21 and one side of an idler sprocket 66 mounted on one of the stud shafts 53 is a sprocket and chain. drive 6?, and running between the other side of said idler spocltet 66 and said auxiliary feed wheel shaft is a sprocket and chain drive 68 whereby the auxiliary feed wheels Qri are actuated.

In the operation of the machine, the pelt, fur side down, is pushed by the operator endwise over the feed table 28 until its forward end is nipped between the feed rolls l9-22. The rotating feed rolls l922 propel the pelt forwardly toward the bed-knife 11, the fur being combed or laid back by the forward movement of the pelt, whereby the bases of the fur filaments are exposed to the cutting action of the revolving knives it), which. as they pass shearingly along the bed knife 11, operate to shear all a sliver or chip of the pelt skin thereby at the same time severing from the skin sliver or chip the fur filaments close to their roots. The skin sliver or chip will be discharged upon the chute plate 15 to pass away to a waste receiving receptacle to which the passage i l leads. The severed fur will discharge downwardly through the passage 24. to a suitable place of collection. Owing to the ]QL"i; )l()(i'2liP l pelt supporting lingers Ell -27, whicln together with the projections at the forwa d de of the beddinife 11, underlie the pelt b the nip or the feed rolls ill--29. and the edge of said bed-knife, the pelt is supported against sagging or improper disposition right up to the cutting edge of the bed-knife ll, and yet by their reciprocation. the supporting lingers 26--27 are alternately withdrawn sufficiently to assure unobstructed discharge of the severed fur dmvnwardly through the passage 2%. The agitation pro vided by the reciprocation of said pelt supporting fingers tends to shake or loosen up the severed fur so that the same freely falls away. It will be noticed that the blades 2(S27 carrying the fingers 262i" have a yieldable connection through the springs El i-37 with the channel bar- 32-35 by which said blades are reciprmated by means of the cams l8 and intermediate conni -tions. This of decided advantage since it eliminates risk of injury to the supporting lingers 6-27 should perchance the same engage any foreign substance iml'iedded in the fur of the pelt. in which event the linaers and blades effected would yield rearwan .l .vithou risl: of damage.

The :uipporting function of the reciprorated linp rs 2627' in conjunction with the projections 52 of the bed-knife 11, is of eX- Bunning berjli treme advantage when the trailing or last end of the pelt approaches the cutting point of the machine, especially after escaping the feeding influence of the feed rolls 1922. Heretofore great difficulty has been experienced in handling such trailing or last ends of the pelts, since as soon as such portions escape the nip of the feed rolls, the same were likely to drop away from the cutting point of the machine allowing a no inconsiderable area of skin and unsevered hair to escape, and either undesirably mix with severed hair or be dragged through and escape with the skin slivers or chips, all of which tended to produce no little waste. In the instant machine, the constant support of such fingers 2627 as are inwardly thrust to overlap with the projections 52 of the bed-knife 11, serves to adequately prevent sagging or downward escape or displacement of the trailing end pelt portions, thus holding the same for proper and final advance over the cutting edge of the bed-knife until entirely and completely treated or consumed. To as sure the forward feeding of such trailing end portions of the thus constantly supported pelt ends, the serrated auxiliary feed wheels 56' are provided; these feed wheels are'situated so close to the cutting edge of the bedknife 11, that their serrated or toothed peripheries will engage the back of the pelt skin, as supported in the described manner, with suflicient friction to propel the same to the very last part thereof across said cutting edge, while at the same time exerting suflicient frictional drag thereon as to prevent, a shearing knife 10 from pulling the same across the bed-knife before proper cutting is completed. It will, from the above description, be obvious that this invention provides a very efficient means for controlling and feeding pelts to the cutting mechanism, with especial reference to controlling, supporting and feeding the last ends of the pelts after the same escape the grip of the initial feed rolls, all to the end that complete cutting consumption of the pelt and severing of fur therefrom with practical elimination of waste and maximum fur recovery.

I am aware that many changes could be made in the above described mechanisms as well as in the details of the construction thereof, without departing from the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims; it is therefore intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim 1. In a fur cutting machine, a cutting mechanism, feed rolls in front of said cutting mechanism by and between which a pelt is fed toward said cutting mechanism, means underlying the pelt in supporting relation thereto and extending beyond the nip of said feed rolls to the cutting point of the cutting mechanism, and auxiliary feed means to frictionally engage the pelt portions upheld by said supporting means and serving especially to effect controlled advance of pelt portions which have escaped the nip of said feed rolls.

2. In a fur cutting machine, a cutting mechanism, feed rolls in front of said cutting mechanism by and between which a pelt is fed toward said cutting mechanism, reciprocable blades having pelt supporting fingers extending beyond the nip of said feed rolls to the cutting point of the cutting mechanism, and auxiliary feed means to frictionally engage pelt portions upheld by said supporting fingers and serving especially to effect controlled advance of pelt portions which have escaped the nip of said feed rolls.

3. In a fur cutting machine, a cutting mechanism, feed rolls in front of said cutting mechanism by and between which a pelt is fed toward said cutting mechanism, reciprocable blades having pelt supporting fingers extending beyond the nip of said feed rolls to the cutting point of the cutting mechanism, and means to longitudinally reciprocate said blades and fingers in groups whereby withdrawn fingers give additional clearance for the discharge of severed fur from the cutting mechanism.

4. In a fur cutting machine, a cutting mechanism, feed rolls in front of said cutting mechanism by and between which a pelt is fed toward said cutting mechanism, reciprocable blades having pelt supporting fingers extending beyond the nip of said feed rolls to the cutting point of the cutting mechanism, means to longitudinally reciprocate said blades and fingers in groups whereby withdrawn fingers give additional clearance for the discharge of severed fur from the cutting mechanism, and auxiliary feed means to frictionally engage pelt portions upheld by said supporting fingers and serving especially to effect controlled advance of pelt portions which have escaped the nip of said feed rolls.

5. In a fur cutting machine, a cutting mechanism, feed rolls in front of said cutting mechanism by and between which a pelt is fed toward said cutting mechanism, reciprocable blades having pelt supporting fingers extending beyond the nip of said feed rolls to the cutting point of the cutting mechanism, means to longitudinally reciprocate said blades and fingers in groups whereby withdrawn fingers give additional clearance for the discharge of severed fur from the cutting mechanism, and rotatable auxiliary feed wheels having serrated peripheries to frictionally engage pelt portions upheld by said supporting fingers and serving especially to effect controlled advance of pelt portions which have escaped the nip of said feed rolls.

(5. In a fur cutting machine, a cutting mechanism, feed rolls in front of said cutting mechanism by and between which a pelt is fed toward said cutting mechanism, and laterally spaced means underlying the pelt in supporting relation thereto and extending beyond the nip of said feed rolls to the cutting mechanism, the spaces between said support ing means giving clearance for the discharge of severed fur from the cutting mechanism.

'i'. in a fur cutting machine, a cutting mechanism, feed rolls in front of said cutting mechanism by and between which a pelt is fed toward said cutting mechanism, laterally spaced means underlying the pelt in supporting relation thereto and extending beyond the nip of said feed rolls to the cutting mechanism the spaces between said supporting means giving clearance for the dis cl'nirge of severed fur from the cutting mechanism, and means for longitudinally reciprocating the members of said supporting means in groups whereby retracted members give additional clearance space for the discharge of" severed fur.

8 in a fur cutting machine, a cutting mechanism, feed rolls in front of said cutting mechanism by and between which a pelt is fed toward said cutting mechanism, laterally spaced means underlying the pelt in supporting relation thereto and extending beyond the nip of said feed rolls to the cutting mechanism, the spaces between said sup porting means giving clearance for the discharge of severed fur from the cutting mechanism, and auxiliary feed means to frictionally engage the pelt portions upheld by said supporting means and serving especially to eliect controlled advance of pelt portions which have escaped the nip of said feed rolls.

9. In a fur cutting machine as defined in claim 8, means for longitudinally reciprocating the members of said supporting means in groups whereby retracted members give additional clearance space for the discharge of severed fur.

10. In a fur cutting machine as defined in claim 8, in which said auxiliary feedineans comprises rotatable feed wheels having se1'- ated peripheries.

11. In a fur cutting machine as defined in claim 8, means for longitudinally reciprocating the members of said supporting means in groups whereby retracted members give additional clearance space for the discharge of severed fur, and wherein said auxiliary feed means comprises rotatable feed wheels having serrated peripheries.

12. In a fur cutting machine, a cutting mechanism comprising revolvable knives, a stationary bed-knife with which said revolvable knives coact, feed rolls in front of said bed-knife by and between which a pelt is fed toward the same, laterally spaced blades having pelt supporting fingers extending between the nip of said feed rolls and said bed-knife, and said bed-knife having laterally spaced fixed supporting ribs extending outwardly from its cutting edge in staggered interlapping relation to the ends of said supporting fingers, the spaces between said supporting ribs and lingers giving clearness for the discharge of severed fur from the cutting mech anism.

13. In a fur cutting machine, a cutting mechanism comprising revolvable knives, a stationary bed-knife with which said revolvable knives coact, feed rolls in front of said bed-knife by and between which a pelt is fed toward the same, laterally spaced blades having pelt supporting fingers extending be tween the nip of said feed rolls and said bedknife, said bed-knife having aterally spaced fixed supporting ribs extending outwardly from its cutting edge in staggered inter-lap ping relation to the ends of said supporting fingers, the spaces between said supporting ribs and fingers giving clearance for the dis charge of severed fur from the cutting mech- ZlIllSlIl, means for longitudinally reciprocating said blades and their supporting lingers in groups whereby retracted lingers give additional clearance space for the discharge of severed fur.

14;. In a fur cutting machine, cutting mechanism comprising revolvable knives, a stationary bed-knife with which said revolvable knives coact, feed rolls in front of said bed-knife by and between which a pelt is fed toward the same, laterally spaced blades having pelt supporting fingers extending be tween the nip of said feed rolls and said bedknife, said bed-knife having laterally spaced fixed supporting ribs extending outwardly from its cutting edge in staggered interlapping relation to the ends of said supporting fingers, the spaces between said supporting ribs and fingers giving clearance for the dis charge of severed fur from the cutting mechanism, and auxiliary feed means to frictionally engage the pelt portions upheld by said supporting fingers and ribs and serving especially to effect controlled advance of pelt portions which have escaped the nip of said feed rolls.

15. In a fur cutting machine, a cutting mechanism comprising revolvable knives, a stationary bed-knife with which said revolvable knives coact, feed rolls in front of said bed-knife by and between which a pelt is fed toward the same, laterally spaced blades having pelt supporting fingers extending between the nip of said feed rolls and said bedknife, said bed-knife having laterally spaced fixed supporting ribs extending outwardly from its cutting edge in staggered interlapping relation to the ends of said supporting fingers, the spaces between said supporting ribs and fingers giving clearance for the discharge of severed fur from the cutting mech anism, means for longitudinally reciprocatmg sald blades and the1r supportmg fingers in groups whereby retracted fingers give additional clearance space for the discharge of severed fur, and auxiliary feed means to frictionally engage the pelt portions upheld by said supporting fingers and ribs and serving especially to efi'ect controlled advance of pelt portions which have escaped the nip of said feed rolls.

16. In a fur cutting machine, a cutting mechanism comprising revolvable knives, a stationary bed-knife with which said revolvable knives coact, feed rolls in front of said bed-knife by and between which a pelt is fed toward the same, laterally spaced reciprocable blades having pelt supporting fingers eX- tending between the nip of said feed rolls and said bed-knife, said bed-knife having laterally spaced fixed suppor ing ribs extending outward ly from its cutting edge in staggered interlapping relation to the ends of said supporting fingers, the spaces between said supporting ribs and fingers giving clearance for the discharge of severed i'ur from the cutting mechanism, cam actuated means for longitudinally reciprocating said blades and their supporting fingers in groups whereby retracted fingers give additional clearance space for the discharge of severed fur, and rotatable auxiliary feed wheels having toothed peripheries above said supporting fingers and ribs to frictionally engage the pelt portions upheld by the latter and serving especially to effect controlled advance of pelt portions which have escaped the nip of said feed rolls.

17. In a fur cutting machine as defined in claim 16, including means for yieldably conmeeting said blades with the means for reciprocating the same.

18. In a fur cutting machine as defined in claim 16, including a pelt supporting plate covering said blades beyond the receiving side of said feed rolls.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day of December, 1930.

ROBERT H. PLASS. 

